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Lucknow: The BJP is learnt to have initiated back-channel talks with at least four BSP MPs for a possible switch over to the saffron camp ahead of the Lok Sabha elections. Another BSP MP from the west UP region is reported to be in touch with Jayant Chaudhary’s RLD, which is expected to join the BJP-led NDA in the next few days.
Sources said that of the four BSP MPs who are reportedly in touch with the BJP, three are from the Kashi region while one happens to be from Awadh.
In fact, one of them recently met PM Narendra Modi who also happens to be an MP from Varanasi parliamentary constituency in Kashi. The development comes amid reports of BJP finalising its first list of candidates, essentially for the 16 seats, which it lost to the SP-BSP combine in the 2019 Lok Sabha polls. The BJP is likely to announce the list just around the issuance of poll notification expected in the second week of March. While senior BJP leaders refused to comment, party spokesperson Anand Dubey said that the leaders of the opposition parties know that their defeat in the forthcoming Lok Sabha polls is imminent. “Therefore, the opposition leaders are scrambling for safer seats or greener pastures. As far as BJP is concerned the party draws its strength from the popularity of PM Modi and its grassroots organisational machinery. We are confident of registering a landslide victory in the upcoming elections,” he maintained. Political experts said that the BSP MPs apprehend a setback to their electoral fortunes in the wake of the poll contest turning into a direct square off between the BJP-led NDA and the SP-Congress combine. “Polarization of voters is expected between NDA and the SP-Congress combine, leaving little chance for the BSP candidates to gain,” said an analyst.
He said that the BSP is expected to choose its candidates tactfully in a bid to make the electoral contest a multi-cornered one. This can include fielding Muslim candidates against SP candidates. The situation, sources said, has been emerging amid BSP chief Mayawati‘s repeated assertion vis-a-vis going solo in the Lok Sabha polls. Experts said the BSP has been categorically wary of aligning with any political formation that could perceptibly allow resurrection of the SP or the Congress in UP.
Sources said that of the four BSP MPs who are reportedly in touch with the BJP, three are from the Kashi region while one happens to be from Awadh.
In fact, one of them recently met PM Narendra Modi who also happens to be an MP from Varanasi parliamentary constituency in Kashi. The development comes amid reports of BJP finalising its first list of candidates, essentially for the 16 seats, which it lost to the SP-BSP combine in the 2019 Lok Sabha polls. The BJP is likely to announce the list just around the issuance of poll notification expected in the second week of March. While senior BJP leaders refused to comment, party spokesperson Anand Dubey said that the leaders of the opposition parties know that their defeat in the forthcoming Lok Sabha polls is imminent. “Therefore, the opposition leaders are scrambling for safer seats or greener pastures. As far as BJP is concerned the party draws its strength from the popularity of PM Modi and its grassroots organisational machinery. We are confident of registering a landslide victory in the upcoming elections,” he maintained. Political experts said that the BSP MPs apprehend a setback to their electoral fortunes in the wake of the poll contest turning into a direct square off between the BJP-led NDA and the SP-Congress combine. “Polarization of voters is expected between NDA and the SP-Congress combine, leaving little chance for the BSP candidates to gain,” said an analyst.
He said that the BSP is expected to choose its candidates tactfully in a bid to make the electoral contest a multi-cornered one. This can include fielding Muslim candidates against SP candidates. The situation, sources said, has been emerging amid BSP chief Mayawati‘s repeated assertion vis-a-vis going solo in the Lok Sabha polls. Experts said the BSP has been categorically wary of aligning with any political formation that could perceptibly allow resurrection of the SP or the Congress in UP.
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